ARE WE READY FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST? - 11/27/22 (First Sunday of Advent)

Matthew 24:42–44

“Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112722.cfm

Blessed First Sunday of Advent! Today is the beginning of the new liturgical year. As we officially enter the Advent season, we may be preparing for the Christmas season. We may be preparing for the food and for the gifts. But, are we spiritually prepared? Are we ready for the coming of Jesus Christ? Our Lord Jesus tells us to always be ready and to  stay awake because we do not know the day of His second coming. Why should we be vigilant every day? For some people, they may think that they can just enjoy their life, go to bars, and seek worldly satisfactions. They may say that they can just repent at the last moment of their lives. But, do we really have a guarantee of when Jesus will come or when a person will meet our Lord at his or her death? Besides this, we cannot suddenly expect to change at the last moment of our lives if we are not persevering today to follow God. In the analogy used by Jesus, He speaks of a householder who never allows his house to be broken into by a thief because he is watching his house every day. Our souls are more important than all of our material things. This is why we should guard our souls against the temptations by the devil and occasions of sins in the world. Let's love God at every moment of our lives and depend on His graces and strength always. 

To prepare for this Advent season doesn't mean that we will just clean our places for celebration. What is more important is that the dwelling place of God in our hearts may always be purified by the graces of God. During the flood of Noah, many people died because they did not listen to the warning from Noah, and they continued living in their sins. Today, we are given a fresh start. Some of us may be discouraged because of our sins such as drunkenness, lust, pride and other things. It may be difficult for us to stay away from the occasions of sins around us. And yet, God has never changed His love for us. He is continuously giving us the gift of salvation, especially through the sacraments. Jesus is inviting us to choose Him because He has chosen us. Once we truly recognize that our Lord dwells within us despite how many times we offended Him, we will be motivated to be more grateful and to persevere in following God. Let's reflect on our sins, choose to reject them and follow the teachings and way of Christ. Through this, we will have the hope of being taken to His Kingdom because we are always ready for the coming of our Lord. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/